Belt handling apparatus



April 19, 1960 .1. B. LONG 2,933,177

BELT HANDLING APPARATUS WMM-4M ATTORNEYS April 19, 1960 .1. B. LONG BELTHANDLING APPARATUS I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16. 1959 JOHN B. LONGATTORNEYS April 19, 1960 .1. B. LONG BELT HANDLING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 16. 1959 INVENTOR JOHN B. LONG EMMA/MATTORNEYS United States Patent() BELT HANDLING APPARATUS John B. Long,Oak Hill, W. Va., assignor to The Long Company, Oak Hill, W. Va., acorporation of West Virginia Application March 16, 1959, Serial No.799,771 Claims. (Cl. 198-139) This invention relates to improvements inbelt handling apparatus and particularly to apparatus for the insertionand removal of belting in an extensible endless belt conveyor.

in the positioning and addition or removal of lengths of belting to anextensible endless belt conveyor it has long been a problem tomanipulate the exceptionally heavy reels of belting into position sothat the length of belting contained on the reel can be properly addedto the belt conveyor as it is extended and to rewind and manipulate alength of belting that is removed from the belt conveyor when theconveyor is retracted.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of improved belthandling apparatus whereby reels of belting may be manipulated withfacility in the addition or removal of lengths of beltingto anextensible endless belt conveyor.

A further object is the provision of belt handling apparatus that has aminimum of movable parts and is extremely compact, so that the same maybe used Ain places wherein there is a likelihood of an accumulation ofabrasive dust and dirt, such as in coal mines, and wherein there is aminimum of space within which the apparatus can be erected and the reelsof belting manipulated, such as in low ceiling mines.

A further object is the provision of belt handling apparatus that may bepositioned with respect to the belt conveyor so that when the same isused in a conned area the belting can be applied from either one side ofthe belt conveyor or the other, as space permits.

A further object is the provision of belt handling apparatus for use inassociation with belt conveyors of the type disclosed in copendingapplication Serial No. 700,- 444, tiled December 3, 1957, now Patent No.2,896,774, of which Jei C. Clay and myself are joint inventors, whereinthe conveying roller units supporting the conveying reach of the beltare supported upon a pair of spaced parallel ilexible strands. In thistype of belt conveyor there arises the problem of properly positioningthe belting between the pair of spaced exible strands and manipulationof the reels of belting to a position intermediate the pair of spacedflexible strands without interference with the strands. When my belthandling apparatus is utilized with such a belt conveyor, the same ispreferably situated at a location in the belt conveyor wherein accessmay be easily had for the addition or the removal of belting, and theexible strands are secured to the apparatus in such a manner as toproperly position the reels of belting in longitudinal alignment withthe conveyor and the exibie side strands are positioned so that therewill be no danger of interference therewith by the reels of belting.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specificationand in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved belt handling apparatus, showingthe same positioned for the addition or removal of belting to anextensible endless belt conveyor.

Fig. 2 is a side view of my improved belt handling apparatus taken fromthe opposite side from Fig. l, with parts thereof being broken away toshow the preferred details.

Fig. 3 is a front plan view of my improved belt handling apparatus, withparts thereof broken away to disclose the preferred details.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of my improved belt handling apparatus, withparts thereof broken away to disclose the preferred details.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the frame of my improved belt handlingapparatus.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing a preferred hydraulic system forthe operation of my improved belt handling apparatus.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A may generally designate an extensible endless beltconveyor; B a storage roll for supporting belting for the belt conveyorA; C a frame for supporting the reel B; D means for positioning theframe C with respect to belt conveyor A for the addition or removal ofbelting from the belt conveyor A; E means for iixedly securing the frameC in position; F means for rotary support of the reel B upon the frameC; and G means for positioning the reel B with respect to the frame C.

The extensible endless belt conveyor A may be of any preferred type, andin the drawings I have shown a belt conveyor similar to that set forthin the aforesaid application Serial No. 700,444, wherein a belt 10 isorbitally connected as by a splice 11 for endless rotary movementbetween a head and tail section (not shown), and Whereinthe conveyingreach of the belt is supported upon a plurality of conveying idlerroller units 12 supported upon a pair of spaced flexible strands of wireor rope 14. The ilexible strands 14 are supported above the ground floorsurface by the standards 16, which standards 16 also support returnrollers 17 for supporting the return reach of the belt 10.

Belting that is to be added to such belt conveyors is usually supportedupon a reel, and I have shown one such type reel B in the drawings. Thisreel B preferably includes a cylindrical reel drum 17, upon which iswound a length of belting 18 that is held thereon by a pair of disclikeside members 19 supported at either end of the reel drum 17. Thedisc-like side members 19 may be provided with radially extending braces20 and I preferably provide a flange portion 21 extending peripherallyabout each of the discs, for a purpose to be subsequently described.Housed centrally within the cylindrical reel drum 18, and supportedtherein by end washers 23 is a drive shaft receiving sleeve 25 thatextends for the entire length vof the reel drum 18 and slightlyoutwardly therebeyond. This sleeve 25 is preferably of a rectangularcross section and is formed for cooperative engagement with the driveshaft of the means F, as will be subsequently described.

The frame C preferably includes a pair of side members 28 and 29 thatare supported in a parallel spaced relationship by the end braces 31 and32 and the X-shaped cross brace 33. The side frame members 28 and 29 areidentical and therefore like reference characters will be applied tocorresponding parts of each. The side members 28 and 29 each have a siderail 35 of :a substantially asesina rectangular channel constructionhaving an upper side plate 36, an inner side plate 37, and an outer sideplate 3S, with the lower side thereof being open. Frame supporting baseplates 40 are welded across the open lowermost side of the plates 37 and38, across the open channel, adjacent each end of the side rail 35, anda plurality of gripping lugs or cleats 41 are welded or otherwisetransversely secured to the lowermost surface of each base plate. Thebase plates 4i) and the cleats 41 form the ground engaging portions ofthe frame and the en gagement of the cleats 41'with the gronndtioorprevents longitudinal shifting of the frame. Brace mounting plates 44may be secured to the inner side plates 3 7, as by the nuts 45, and theend braces `31 and 32 and the X-shaped cross brace 33 weldedor otherwisesecured to the brace mounting plates 44.

Secured to either end of the side rails 35 are return roller supportingbrackets 48 and 49. The parallel supporting brackets 48 at one endyofeach of the side members 28 and 29 support a return roller 50 and theparallel supporting brackets 49 at the other endl thereof support areturn roller 51. These return rollers t)` and 51 support the returnreach of the belt as it passes through the frame C.

Spaced pillow block supporting plates 53 and 54' are mounted on theupper plate 36 of each of the side rails 35. and have secured theretopillow blocks 56 and 58. The parallel pillow blocks 56 secured to theside members 28 and 29 have mounted therebetween a reel supportingroller60, and the parallel pillow blocks 58 secured to the sidek members 28and 29 supports have mounted therebetween a second reel supportingroller 61. These rollers 6i? and 61 are spaced apart to rotatablysupport thereel; Within the frame' C, so that belting may be fed fromthe reel, asv will be subsequently described.

Tubular vertical anchor posts 65 are secured adjacent each end of theside rails 35 and are providedv with reinforcingbraces 66. These tubularcylindrical anchor posts 65 support vertical end posts 67 securedthereto by means of theset screws 68. These vertical end posts 67support the. roof jacks 70 that cooperate with the base plates 40 andcleats 41 and provide the means E for xedly securing the frame C inposition.

These roof jacks 70 are well known in the art and include a supportinginternally threaded tube 73, which tube intertits within the tubularvertical end post 67 and is secured therein by means of a s et screw 75.Mounted within the internally threaded tube 73 is a second tube 77 thatis both externally and internally threaded, the ex-V ternal threads ofthe. tube 77 `cooperating,7 with theV internal threads of the tube '73.Mounted within'tbe internally. threaded tube 77 is an exteriorlythreaded shaft 78, the threads of which engage with the internal threadsof the tube 77. A handle 79 is provided for manipulating the threadedportions, thereby raising and lowering the jack, and the uppermost endof the shaft 78 is provided with a universal joint 80 that supports aroof engaging plate S1. It will therefore be seen from Fig. 1, that withthe cleats 41 of the frame C engaging the oor surface, and the plate 31engaging the roof surface, that the frame C will be securely anchored inposition.

In the event the apparatus is to beused above ground, or where theceilingis too high to permit use of roof jacks, any well known means,such as a cableandanchoring Stake, may be attached to the f rarne C forholding the same in position,

The means D isspecicallyprovided for positioningf tothe 'outer side ofeach of thevertical anchor postsy 615, and a central rope clipSS thatisv secured centrallyAv of the outer side plate 38 ofeach ofthe siderails 35; As

will be seen from Fig. l, thefiexible strand is entrained toeitherA sideof, thefraine C, over the ropeclips 8.4A andv y under the rope clip 85and is Secured Within the clips The means F for the rotary support ofthe reel B upon I the frame C preferably includes drive means 99, adrive shaft S9, a drive means and drive shaft supporting bracket 90mounted upon the side member 28, and a drive shaft supporting gatebracket 91 mounted upon the side mem-V bei' 29.

The bracket 9i) preferably comprises a central web portion 9 3,thatextends longitudinally of the side member Y26,

above the side rail i35, and is provided at each end thereof withcylindrical sockets 95 and 96' that are slidably mounted upon thevertical end posts 67 adjacent the ends of the side rail 35. Thelubricant ttings 9S may be provided uponeach of thecylindrical sockets95 and 96, for lubrieating the sliding it ofy the cylindrical socketsabout the vertical posts. In order to secure the bracket at the properheight above the rollers 60 and 61, Vclamps 100 are mounted upon each ofthe vertical posts 67, below each of the cylindrical sockets and 96.These clamps are rings slidably fitted upon the vertical posts, 67 andare provided with set screws 101 for locking the rings 100 in thedesired position upon the vertical posts 67. The Ibracket 90 can'thus bemoved upwardly or downwardly upon the vertical end posts 6 7 to thedesired position and they clamps 100 then moved into abutment with thelowermost end of each of the sockets 95 and 96 and locked in positionby. tighteningthe set screws 191. The

weight of "the bracket 9.0 andV structureV mounted there'` upon willmaintain theA sockets 95 and 96 in abutment with their respectiveyclamps 100, thus supporting the bracket 99 at, the predeterminedheight. This height adjustment is necessary. as the centralfweb 93 ofthe mounting bracket; 90 supports the drive. means and one end of` thedrive shaft for thev reel and, dependent upon the sine of reel used, thedrive shaft for the reel must be placed at a height in alignment withthe axis of the reel.

The drive means 8.8 is provided for rotating the drum for reeling the`belting thereupon when the same is to be removedfrom the belt conveyor.The drive means 83 is. `mounted centrally of the web 93 and preferablycomprises hydraulic motor 162. having a gear reducer 103 operablyyconnected thereto. The motor 192 is driven by hydraulic; duid that ispumped through the conduits 106 andlll'l from a hydraulicpump L08. Adrive sleeve 110 is attached to the rotor 111 ofthe gear reducer 10S andextendsthrough the mounting web 93 and slightly therebeyond inwardly ofthe frame C receiving one end ofthe drive shaft 8 9.

The gate bracket 91 secured upon the side member 29 preferably includesaswinging side web that is slidably and rotatably mounted lupon one ofthe vertical'posts 67 atone end ofV the side member 29; a bearing member117 mounted upon the side plate 115; a latch member llfnmounted upon`the side plate 115 opposite from theV securement thereof to the verticalpost 67; and a latch` receivingcatch 1Z0-mounted upon the other verticalpost 6 7 extendingfrom the oppositeend ofthe side member 29 f rornthe pos t 67 upon which the side plate 115 is rntatahlv, andslidablymounted.v l

The swinging side web, 1 15 extendsfrom one of the side postsv 6 7 to a,point1just past thev center of the side. 1nernber- 2 9,y supportingthebearing member 117 central-y ly o f the side member 29,. Thewebl 115is supported, upon one of the vertical end posts 67 ofthesidernemb er29V byecylindricalSocket 126.thatissecuredtoV the web', 115. The-Zcylindrical socket 126 slidably and ro ta-tablyyintertitsfaboutthe;vertical post; 67 and is prof vided: with alubricantfitting 127k for lubrication thereof. Aclamp 128, having a set screw1-29-ismounted on theivertical post 6 7, below the, cylindricalsocketlZ-,

for height adjustment of the web 115. The height of the web 115 withrespect to the rollers v60 and 61 is provided for the same reasons andis maintained in the same manner as has previously been described withrespect to the web 93 and clamps 100.

The bearing member 117 comprises a roller bearing 130 that is mountedupon the web 115 in axial alignment with the drive means 88 and supportsa drive shaft receiving sleeve 131. The drive shaft 88 preferably is ofa rectangular transverse cross section and is slidably removable fromits engagement with both the sleeve 110 of the drive means 88 and thesleeve 131 of the bearing 136, so that it may be slidably removed fromor inserted into the sleeves. Each of the sleeves 110 and 131 havepassageways therethrough of a rectangular shape substantially identicalto the drive shaft 89, as does the sleeve 25 of the reel B, and one end134 of the drive shaft 89 is tapered for facile insertion through thesleeves.

The latch 118 is pivotally secured to the end of the web 115, oppositethe cylindrical socket 126, by means of a pivot pin 136. A short lengthof the uppermost plate of the web 115 is cut away sothat the latch canbe readily raised and lowered.

The catch 120 is of a substantially U-shaped cross section having theupper end thereof open for receiving the latch 118. The catch 120 issecured upon a cylindrical socket 139 that is vslidably mounted upon thevertical end post 67 at the opposite end of side member 29 from thevertical end post 67 upon which the cylindrical socket 126 is mounted.The cylindrical socket 139 is provided with set screws 141 for lockingthe same in position upon the vertical end post 67. A clamp 143 and setscrew 144 may be mounted on the vertical end post 67, beneath thecylindrical socket 139, for the same purposes as the clamp 12S mountedupon the other vertical post 67, however, this is not absolutelynecessary as the set screws 141 will be sutlicient to maintain thesocket 139 in position.

The means G for positioning the reel B preferably includes a heightadjustable pivotal supporting member 145; a loading boom 146 secured atone end thereof to the pivotal supporting member 145; a lift boom leg147 secured at the other end of the loading boom 146; and a reelsupporting carriage 148 movably mounted upon the loading boom 146.

The height adjustable pivotal supporting member 145 is mounted upon theweb 93 of the side member 28 and preferably includes a anged plate 151that is secured to the uppermost surface of the web 93; a cylindricaltube 152 mounted in an upright position upon the iiange member 151, andsupported thereon by braces 153; a threaded nut 154 rotatably secured tothe uppermost end of the tube 152; a threaded shaft 155 havingcooperative engagement with the threads of the nut 15d and extendinginto the cylindrical tube 152; and a clevis 156 providing a pivotalconnection for the loading boom 146 mounted at the uppermost end. of thethreaded shaft 155. This cooperative relationship of elements provides:a jack means for raising and lowering the pivoted end of the loadingboom 146. The clevis 156 is of a substantially i-shaped construction,having the uppermost end thereof open, with the loading'boom 146pivotaliy secured intermediate the sides thereof, by means of a pivotpin 160.

The loading boom 146 is preferably a tubular shaft 162 that extends fromits interconnection to the pivotal `supporting member 145, transverselyacross the frame C, :and substantially therebeyond to itsinterconnection with the lift boom leg 147. The shft 162 provides atrackway upon which the Vcarriage 148 moves.

The lift boom leg 147 preferably includes an elongated base plate 164that supports a vertical tubular anchor post 166. Diagonally extendingbraces 167 may be secured at one end thereof adjacent the uppermostportion of the anchor post 166, extending diagonally downward therefromto interconnection with the base plate 164, for maintaining the anchorpost 166 in upright position. A loading boom supporting leg 169 istelescopically mounted within the anchor post 166, extending verticailyupward therefrom, and is secured at the uppermost end thereof to aloading boom mounting block 170 that is secured to the end of theloading boom opposite the pivotal supporting member 145. Mounted uponone side of the anchor post 166 is a hydraulically operated liftcylinder 172 that is pivotally secured, by means of a pivot pin 173, tothe bracket 174 that is mounted upon the anchor post 166. Conduits 175and 176 are provided leading into the lift cylinder 172 for feedinghydraulic uid into the cylinder for reciprocation of the piston withinthe cylinder. Secured to the piston of the lift cylinder 172 is thepiston shaft 178 that is provided at its uppermost end with a supportingbracket that is pivotally secured to the mounting block 170 by means ofthe pivot pin 181.

It will be seen that when pressure is supplied to cylinder 172 throughthe conduit 175, that the piston shaft 178 will be extended, raising themounting block 170 and that end of the loading boom 146, causing theshaft 169 to slide telescopically upwardly from the anchor post 166; andthat when hydraulic huid is supplied to the cylinder 172, through theconduit 176, that the piston shaft 178 will be lowered, lowering thatend of the loading boom 146, and telescoping the shaft 169 into theanchor post 166. Thus 1 have provided a reciprocable support for one endof the loading boom 146.

The reel supporting carriage 14S preferably includes a sheave member 196that is supported upon the trackway 162 and supports a carrying arm 192.The sheave member 19d includes a pair of side carrier plates 194 and 195that are positioned in a spaced-apart relation by the spacing andreinforcing bars 196. Mounted intermediate the plates 194- and 195 andsupported therebetween by a spindle 19S is a roller 200. This roller 260is positioned to ride on the trackway 162.

Supported between the side plates 194 and 195, at a position below theloading boom arm 162, is the carrying arm 192. This carrying arm 192preferably includes a longitudinally extending bar member 201 having anopening 202 centrally thereof and having a spacer 263 secured within theopening 261. An attaching bolt 2115 passes through the spacer 203 andsecures the carrying arm 192 intermediate the side plates 194 and 195.Each end of the bar 21H1 is provided with an opening 208 that receivesand supports clips 21). These clips 21h are pivotally mounted within theopenings 208, and are spaced apart a distance substantially equivalentto the width of the reel B, and are adapted to be pivoted beneath theflange 21 of the reel side discs 19 for supporting the reel B forhandling.

Any suitable hydraulic system may be used with my apparatus and I showone such system in Fig. 8. This system includes a hydraulic fluid supplytank 215 having disposed therein a filter 216 for filtering thehydraulic fluid as it is withdrawn from the tank; and a conduit 217 forthe withdrawal of hydraulic Huid through the filter 216, from the tank215, the conduit 217 leading to the pump 1418 that places the hydraulicuid under pressure and pumps the fluid through the conduit 219 to acontrol valve bank 220. The control valve bank 220 includes a controllever 222 for reversible feeding of the hydraulic fluid through theconduits 106 and 107 to the motor 102, and a control lever 224 forreversible feeding of the hydraulic fluid through the conduits 175 and176 tothe cylinder 172; a return conduit 226 being provided for thereturn of the fluid from the valve bank 220 to the tank 215.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The belt handling apparatus is positioned in the longitudinal path ofthe belt conveyor for belt removal or eee-air? 7 addition, and is fixedin position, the loading boom 146 being disposed .to either one side orthe other of the belt conveyor, as space permits. Now, assuming that alength of belting is to be added to the conveyor, the carriage 148 ismoved to the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3, and theclips 21) secured about the flange 2i of a reel B that is resting on theground. The hydraulic 'control lever 224 is now actuated, feedinghydraulic fluid through the conduit 175 to the lowermost portion of thecylinder 172, raising the piston and piston shaft 178, which will raisethe loading boom 146, raising the ceu"- riage 143 and lifting the reel Boff of the ground. The gate 9i ofthe side member 29 is now opened totheposition shown Vin dot and dash lines in Fig. 3, and the carriage 148,supporting the reel B, is moved to a position between the side members28 and 29, so that the belting upon-the reel is in line with theconveyor belt. The splice 111 ofthe belt 10 on the conveyor is thenopened, the ends of the belting l0 separated, so that the ends of thebelting are spaced apart from the frame C; the control lever 224 movedin the opposite direction, feeding the hydraulic iiuid through theconduit 176 to the cylinder 172, lowering the piston and piston shaft178, which, in turn, lowers the loading boom 46 and the reel B carriedthereupon to a position so that the peripheral llange 21 of the reel Bis supported upon the rollers 60 and 6l. The clips 210 are then removedfrom engagement with the ange 21, and the loading boom slightly raisedso that the clips 2i() are held spaced from the reel. The outermost endof the belt 26 upon the reel Bis then spliced to the forward end ofthebelt 10, asby a splice 230, and the headpiece or tail piece of theconveyor, as the case may be, it trammed forward, pulling the belting 26from the reel B.

The reel B is thus rotatably supported upon the rollers di? and 61.

When all of the belting has been removed from the reel, the end of thebelting 26 is spliced to the splice il of the belting 10, the loadingboom M6 lowered so that the clips 2li) can be secured to the ange 2l ofreel, the gate 9i opened, the loading boom 146 raised so Vthat the reelis free from contact with the rollers oit and 6l, and the reei andcarriage moved out of the path of the belt conveyor. The loading boom isthen lowered and the reel removed and the apparatus is in position toreceive another reel. It is to be noted that various sizes of reels willundoubtedly be used, containing varying lengths of belting, and the jackmounting of the pivotal supporting member 145' is provided so that thepivote axis of the loading boom ldd may appropriately raised or loweredfor proper engagement of the reel.

When it is desired to remove a length of beiting from the conveyor, anempty reel is loaded in line with the conveyor belt, intermediate theside members Z8 and 29, in the same manner as' was previousiy describedfor a loaded reel, the splice of the belt is disconnected, the reellowered onto the rollers 649 and 6i, the gate 91 closed, and the looseend of the belt threaded onto the reel drum 18. The drive shaft 89 isplaced through the bearing sleeve 131, through the reel sleeve 25, andinto the sleeve Mtl of the gear reducer 103. it will be noted that eachof the sleeves l3 and 110 are supported for vertical movement so thatthey may be properly aligned with the iaxial sleeves of reels of varyingdimension. The forward V"rating the reel B and winding the beltingthereupon. After 'thedesired length of belting has been removed, thecon- "trol lever 222 is thenv moved into reverse direction, de-

activating the motor 192 and gear reducer N3, the drive shaft 39 isremoved, the gate 91 opened, the loading boom 146lowered and the'clips210 moved into engage- 'ment` with'l theilange 21\`o`f'the reel `B,' theloading boom 146 raised and thev heel removed in the same manner ashasbeen previouslydescribed. v

p Various changes intheshape, size and arrangementof parts may be madeto the formof invention herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit ofthe invention or the scope fof'the'following claims.

I claim: f

`1. In handling apparatus for belting reels in the insertion and removalof belting in the reach of a belt conveyor, the combination of a reelreceiving frame disposed in line with the reach of the belt conveyor,anti-friction reel receiving means mounted upon said frame forsupporting the reel for rotary, movement in line with the reach of thebelt conveyor, track means extending outwardly from said reel receivingframe, and carriage means mounted upon said track means, said carriagemeans being positioned upon said track means for engagement with saidreel and movable along said track means for positioning the reel uponand removing the reel from saidv reel receiving frame. V

ZQIn belt handling apparatus for manipulating reels of belting for theinsertionV and removal of belting in a belt conveyor, the combinationv`of a reel receiving frame,said reel receiving frame includinganti-friction reel receiving means for supporting the reel for rotarymovement, track means extending outwardly from said reel receivingframe, and carriage-means mounted upon said track means, said carriagemeans being positioned upon said track means for engagement with saidreel and movable along said track means for positioning the reel uponand removing the reel from said reel receiving frame.

3. In a belt conveyor of the type having a head section and a tailsection, with side supports for the conveyor extending longitudinally ofand to each side of the belt; a belt reel handling apparatus for theinsertion and removal of belting intermediate the head and tail sectionof the belt conveyor including a reel receiving frame disposed in linewith the reach of the belt conveyor and extending intermediate the sidesupports, reel receiving means mounted upon said frame for supportingthe reel for rotary movement in line with the reach of the beltconveyor, means to enable the positioning of the reel upon and removalof the reel from said reel receiving frame, and side support attachingmeans mounted upon said reel receiving frame securing said frame to saidside supports for maintaining said reel receiving frame inproper'alignment with the reach of the belt conveyor.

4. In a belt conveyor of the type having a head section and a tailsection, with the conveying reach thereof supported upon idler rollersthat are in turn supported upon spaced flexible strands; a belt reelhandling apparatus for the insertion and removai of belting intermediatethe head and tail section of the belt conveyor including a reelreceiving frame disposed in line with the reach of the belt conveyor,said frame being positioned intermediate the spaced ilexible strands andstaddling the return reach of the belt conveyor, reel receiving meansmounted upon said frame for supporting the reel'for rotary movement inline with the reach of the belt conveyor, means to enable thepositioning of the reel upon and removal of the reel from said reelreceiving frame, strand receiving guides mounted upon said frame foraligning said reel receiving frame in line with the reach of the `beltconveyor'and for training the strands about said reel receiving frame sothat the reel will not strike against the strands as the reel ispositioned upon and removed from said reel receiving frame, and idlerrollers mounted upon said reel receiving frame forA supporting thereturn reach of the belt `conveyor as'itpasses through said'reelreceiving frame.

5. In a belt conveyor of the type having a head section and atail'section, with theconveying reach thereof supported upon idlerrollers that are in turn supported upon spaced flexible strandSy-a beltreel handlingl apparatusrfoftheinsertion ran'dfremoval ofv-beltingeinterthe reach of the belt conve-lor and extendingintermediate the spaced flexible strands, reel receiving means mountedupon said frame for supporting the reel for rotary movement in line withthe reach of the belt conveyor, means to enable the positioning of thereel upon and removal of the reel from said reel receiving frame, andstrand receiving guides mounted upon said frame for aligning said reelreceiving frame in line with the reach of the belt conveyor and fortraining the strands about said reel receiving frame so that the reelwill not strike against the strands as the reel is positioned upon andremoved vfrom said reel receiving frame.

6. The combination as specified in claim wherein the strands are securedwithin said strand receiving guides and said reel receiving frame formsa supporting standard for the strands.

7. In handling apparatus for belting reels in the insertion and removalof belting in the reach of a belt conveyor; the combination of a reelreceiving frame disposed in line with the reach of the belt conveyor;reel receiving means mounted upon said frame for supporting the reel forrotary movement in line with the reach of the belt conveyor; and meansto enable the positioning of the reel upon and removal of the reel fromsaid reel receiving frame; said last mentioned means including asupporting leg spaced from said reel receiving frame, an elongated boomsupported at one end thereof upon said reel receiving frame and at theother end thereof upon said supporting leg, and a reel supportingcarriage movably mounted upon said elongated boom.

A8. The combination as specified in claim 7 wherein said elongated boomis supported in a height adjustable relationship upon said reelreceiving frame and said supporting leg so that reels of variousdiameters may be properly positioned upon and removed from said reelreceiving frame.

9. The combination as specified in claim 7 wherein said elongated boomis pivotally supported upon said reel receiving frame and saidsupporting leg includes lift means for raising and lowering the end ofsaid elongated boom supported thereby.

l0. The combination as specified in claim 9 wherein said supporting legincludes an extensible anchor post having telescoping sections, one endsection of said anchor post being ground supported and the end sectionof said anchor post at the opposite end thereof from said last mentionedend section being secured to one end of said elongated boom, and saidlift means is secured at one end thereof to the section of said anchorpost that is ground supported and at the other end thereof to saidelongated boom adjacent the end section of said anchor post secured toone end of said elongated boom.

11. The combination as specied in claim 7 wherein said elongated boomdefines a trackway upon which said reel supporting carriage is movableand said reel supporting carriage includes a sheave member mounted uponsaid elongated boom, an elongated reel carrying arm supported by saidsheave member below said elongated boom, and a pair of reel engagingslips mounted adjacent each end of said reel carrying arm.

12. In belt handling apparatus for manipulating reels of belting for theinsertion and removal of belting in a belt conveyor, the combination ofa reel receiving frame, said reel receiving frame including reelreceiving means for supporting the reel for rotary movement and a pairof side brackets for limiting sideway shifting of the reel andmaintaining the reel in position upon said reel receiving means, trackmeans extending from said reel receiving frame for positioning the reelintermediate said side brackets, and means mounted upon said track meansand positioned for engagement with said reel to enable movement of saidreel along said track means.

13. In belt handling 4apparatus for manipulating reels of belting forthe insertion and removal of belting in a belt conveyor, the combinationof a reel receiving frame, said reel receiving frame including reelreceiving means for supporting the reel for rotary movement, a pair ofside brackets secured to said reel receiving frame and positioned toreceive the reel therebetween, drive means mounted upon one of said sidebrackets, a reel engaging and rotating means supported by said sidebrackets and operably connected to said drive means, track meansextending outwardly from one of said side brackets, and carriage meansmounted upon said track means, said carriage means being positioned uponsaid track means for engagement with said reel and movable along saidtrack means for positioning the reel upon and removing the reel fromintermediate said side brackets.

14. The combination as specified in claim 13 wherein each of said sidebrackets are vertically movably supported upon said reel receiving frameand said drive means supported by one of said side brackets and saidreel engaging and rotating means is supported by both of said sidebrackets for vertical adjustable movement in accordance with themovement of said side brackets so that reels o various diameters may beengaged and rotated thereby.

15. The combination as specified in claim 13 wherein said side bracketfrom which said track means outwardly extends is hingedly mounted uponsaid frame so that one end of said side bracket may be swung away fromsaid reel receiving frame, providing an opening through which the reelmay be positioned and removed from the reel receiving frame.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,956,398 Nullmeyer Apr. 24, 1934 2,616,636 Aden Nov. 4, 1952 2,706,056Talley et al. Apr. 12, 1955 2,846,051 Craggs et al Aug. 5, 1958 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No., 2119331l 1T?April l9yl 1960 John B,z Long` It is hereby certified that error appearsin the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiringcorrection and that the said Letters Patent should read as correctedbelow.

Column 5Y line 'IOY for "shit" read m shaft column 7V line 32, for "it"read is column 8I line l,7 for "heel" read reel line 56 for staldlngnread straddlng --3 column lOV line 4, for "slips" read clips uw Signedand sealed this 27th day of September 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H AAXLINE ROBERT c. WATSON Attesting Ofcer Commissioner of Patents

